discretion
Sign in to saveDiscretion is the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice. In a broader social context, it refers to the quality of being discreet, encompassing the ability to behave or speak in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
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12 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Discretion in law
- Judicial discretion
- Prosecutorial discretion
- Law enforcement discretion
- Administrative discretion
- Constraints and review
- In ethics and social behavior
- In economics
- Military discretion
- See also
- References
Discretion is the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice. In a broader social context, it refers to the quality of being discreet, encompassing the ability to behave or speak in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
The concept is foundational in various fields, particularly in law, where it refers to the authority granted to an official (such as a judge or police officer) to make decisions based on their assessment of the specific circumstances rather than by strict adherence to a rigid code. It acts as a necessary counterbalance to the rigidity of written rules, allowing for equity and mercy in complex human situations.